Upon Further Review: Offense vs Delaware State

Personnel notes: Everyone gets in. One correction from Monday's game column: the second-string center in this game was Tim McAvoy, not Rocko Khoury.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

O45

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Nickel

Run

Zone read stretch

Shaw

2

Moosman(-1) beaten down the line, partially because Schilling didn't stay to help any; a cutback is not possible with the backside DE crashing down and Shaw ends up plowing into the guy Moosman is escorting down the line, falling forward for a couple.

O43

2

8

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Nickel

Pass

Rollout hitch

Mathews

14

Wide open to the point where this five yard hitch can get turned up for nine more. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

O29

1

10

I-Form 3-wide

2

0

3

Base 4-4

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

2

Huyge(-1) driven back by the DSU DT right into the path of Shaw, who slows up as a result, actually impacting the DT a yard in the backfield. He cant make a one-armed tackle, though, and Shaw squirts outside where an unblocked linebacker grabs him by the feet.

O27

2

8

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Bubble screen

Odoms

25

Extremely open with the DSU LB lined up a good two yards inside of Odoms and slow to react to the bubble. He watches the exchange, only getting out on Odoms when Forcier pulls up to throw, by which point it's way too late. Despite the CB forcing the play inside Odoms can zip between him and the LB all the way down to the 1. (CA, 3, screen)

This isn't that hard against a shifted line: kick the DE out, double the DT, shoot the RB at the linebacker right over the hole, and use Robinson's speed to pick up good yardage. Both guys blocking the playside DT peel off to attempt a block on a blitzing linebacker who's just running himself out of the play, allowing that guy to come off his block and tackle after 6-7.

M35

2

3

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone counter dive

Shaw

8

Backside DE, who looks like a sixth grader, gets kicked out, one LB runs up for contain and the other gets blocked, and Shaw makes a sharp cut into the hole we all know and love. Linebackers do recover to hold it down a bit.

M43

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB zone stretch

Robinson

20

This actually gets strung out pretty well by DSU, with the playside DE fighting off Ortmann's block and forcing Robinson wider than he'd like. By the time he cuts up there are three DSU guys in the area and apparently no room, but Robinson manages to squeeze through a hole that doesn't even appear to be there and breaks into the secondary.

O37

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Edge pitch

Shaw

16

One deep safety and an outside corner playing ten yards off the line with an OLB over Grady-19. That guy makes the mistake of trying to go inside of Grady, giving up the edge, but this was to the wide side of the field and there was no support so even if he tries to fight through the Grady block he's probably not going to have much luck.

O21

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read stretch

Smith

11

DSUs DTs are headed straight upfield. One is easily sealed by Schilling(+1) the other beats Moosman(-1), leaving that guy attempting to charge down Smith. He can't, and there's a bunch of room because a DE's been blown downfield and Grady kicked out the linebacker to that side. Smith can just run outside of the DT.

Michigan doubles and down-blocks the playside DT, pulling Schilling around to act as a lead blocker as Smith heads outside. The double on the DT gets him blown off the ball but he eventually splits it, throwing Schilling to the ground and tackling Robinson after a moderate gain.

O6

2

G

Shotgun 2-back TE

2

1

2

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read stretch

Smith

6

This one goes outside the tackle as a textbook scoop block from Dorrestein(+1) and Huyge(+1) seals the playside DE and gets Dorrestein out on the MLB. Both those guys get blocked, the OLB to the playside gets taken out by Grady, and it's a walk-in touchdown.

Drive Notes: Touchdown,14-0, 8 min 1st Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

O39

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Shaw

11

DSU slanting into the play, driving Moosman and Ortmann back, getting playside of them and forcing a cutback. Ortmann does do a good job of sticking with the block and getting enough push to help with the cutback. The threat of Robinson holds one linebacker outside and he can't make a diving tackle from behind. Shaw spins through another tackle attempt and picks up good yardage.

O28

1

10

Shotgun trips

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB zone stretch

Robinson

8

Excellent block by Moosman(+1) gets the playside DT sealed; Shaw sees the lane and cuts up inside to provide a block, which isn't great; Robinson hops behind it without losing much speed at all. He takes a hit from the DT, who's given up seven yards of field position, and the ball is raked free.

Drive Notes: Fumble, 21-0, 4 min 1st Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

O38

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Pass

PA Deep Seam

Grady

38

Play action fake sucks up the safety ridiculously and gives Grady huge room. Robinson finds him for the touchdown. The throw is short and if I hadn't seen Robinson leave a couple other balls like this short to poor effect I might give him credit for just making sure the ball is complete. I have, though, so I think he just underthrew it. It's not too bad, though, and it's a deep throw, so: (CA,3, protection 1/1)

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 28-0, 3 min 1st Q

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M13

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Smith

13

Playside DE steps inside, which allows Dorrestein to engage him and double with help from Huyge, blowing him way off the ball and giving Smith an easy lane to dart into. Webb kicks out another linebacker, turning it into first down yardage.

M26

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Smith

11

Moosman(+1) gets enough of the playside DT to provide a tough reach block; Smith darts up through a smallish crease between Moosman and Dorrestein. Webb and Huyge have second level blocks, leaving Smith one-on-one with a closing safety in a phonebooth; Smith lowers his shoulder and pops him, falling forward. Tough little guy.

M37

1

10

Shotgun 2TE Twins

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

8

This is where I think Smith has some top-end ability. The backside DSU DT has split a double and gotten playside of Dorrestein(-1), which should jam the play up. Smith just hops around the mess, hardly breaking stride or slowing, and manages to zip up through a hole before the unblocked backside DE can close it down. That change of direction is stellar.

M45

2

2

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Inside zone

Smith

42

Virtual replay of the last play down to the backside DSU DT zipping inside and Smith smoothly cutting past it before the backside DE can react. This time a crushing downfield block by Webb(+1) has opened the corner and Smith is off to the races. He does not win the races. It's possible he's just tired. Look at this drive.

O17

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Penalty

False start

Schilling

-5

Oops.

O22

1

15

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Rollout hitch

Stonum

19

Corner to the side where the play is is headed for the parking lot, just amazingly far off the ball. Robinson's a tad late with the throw but it gets there and accurately; it's got some zip, too, allowing Stonum to turn it upfield in the cavernous space afforded and head for first and goal. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

Michigan breaks this bad boy out, as discussed yesterday, but to no effect because Smith does not get the playcall. He heads to the wrong side of Robinson, which makes for an awkward handoff, and runs right into the space the pulling guard vacated. Smith instantly pulled for Shaw.

O4

2

G

I-Form 3-wide

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Rollout cross

Roundtree

Inc

Great block by Grady on the edge to stone a blitzer as Michigan goes play action waggle. Robinson uses the time afforded by Grady to find Roundtree breaking open at the back of the endzone; the throw is a little behind and low, forcing Roundtree to go down and dig it out. Catchable, but unnecessarily difficult; Roundtree can't bring it in. (MA, 2, protection 2/2)

O4

3

G

Shotgun trips

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB zone stretch

Robinson

4

Robinson darts up in a crease between Dorrestein(+1) and lead blocker Shaw for a short touchdown. Rodriguez ticked at Shaw for something.

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 35-0, 12 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M40

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read stretch

Grady

5

Schilling(-1) and Moosman(-1) fail to seal the playside DT on an attempted double, so Grady has little choice but to slam it up into him. They meet at the LOS, are joined by another Hornet, and Grady manages to grind forward for five yards.

M45

2

5

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Run

QB lead draw

Robinson

9

Down-block double from Moosman and Huyge does get the playside DT blown out of this hole; Huyge(+1) then disconnects to take out one linebacker; Grady cracks the other. Robinson zips through the hole and ends up grinding a pile forward. Grady, okay, but man. When Robinson's doing that you've got issues.

O44

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Grady

9

Great cut block by Ortmann gets the backside DT to the ground and opens up a huge cutback lane as Koger blocks the WLB down the line and out of the hole and DSU flows too fast to the edge of the field. Grady cuts it behind, gets grabbed, and does his usual YAC thing.

O35

2

1

I-Form Twins

2

1

2

Base 4-3

Run

Power off tackle

Grady

7

Ortmann and Schilling down block and obliterate the playside DT; Koger kicks out the DE. Huyge pulls around but has no one to block because both DSU linebackers follow the FB outside. A filling safety brings Grady down.

O28

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Pass

Waggle TE Post

Webb

28

Play action fake again sucks up DSU almost wholly, leaving Webb in a sea of green wondering where everyone else is. He is Moeaki open. Robinson pulls up late and has a guy in his face, so the throw is harried and way way short. Coverage is so bad that it doesn't matter though. Robinson's problem on these is not seeing stuff fast enough, I think. (MA, 3, protection N/A)

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 42-0, 7 min 2nd Q.

Ln

Dn

Ds

O Form

RB

TE

WR

D Form

Type

Play

Player

Yards

M17

1

10

I-Form 3-wide

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Iso

Grady

26

Sheridan in. Okay: so. I've been half-assing it so far and now this is like 3/4ths assing it. Michigan runs a simple iso play that should be good for a few but for a corner shooting too far inside and letting Grady outside of the leverage, turning like four into a big play.

M43

1

10

I-Form 3-wide

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone stretch

Moosman

6

Moosman(+1) seals away the playside DT and Schilling(+1) gets a very good second level block, springing Grady into the secondary. Quick fill from the safety and Grady's tendency to run right into filling safeties hold it down.

M49

2

4

I-Form 3-wide

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Iso

Grady

5

Plowing ahead; decent filling from DSU holds it down, somewhat,

O46

1

10

Shotgun 4-wide

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Hitch

Stokes

9

Open, decent YAC. (CA, 3, protection 1/1)

O37

2

1

Shotgun trips

1

1

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Bubble screen

Grady(19)

9

A crappy throw Grady has to dig out; Webb got beat to the outside here but Grady(+1) makes that guy miss and zips outside the interior pursuit for a good gain. (MA, 2, screen)

O28

1

10

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read stretch

Smith

1

Huyge(-1) gets pushed into the backfield and basically defeated by the DSU DT, who's playing pretty well here. Smith can't run to the outside of him because the MLB has shot up through the gap developing between the playside guy and the DE, so he has to slow up, spinning through the MLB's arm tackle attempt and getting a yard out of nothing.

O27

2

9

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Pass

PA deep hitch

Savoy

20

Man, when Nick Sheridan surveys, finds nothing, starts rolling out, is pursued by a DE who can't catch him, and finds a wide open WR, you are not good. (CA+, 3, protection 1/1)

O7

1

G

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read stretch

Grady(24)

7

McColgan, the backup FB—where is Moundros?--whiffs on a blitzing LB, which gets him on on Grady; Grady makes him miss, then jukes another guy, then scores. See above about not good.

Drive Notes: Touchdown, 49-0, 1 min 2nd Q. Last drive of half not charted. Shaw has a couple of nice runs. Charting stops here since the second team OL plays the entire second half. I'll chart certain plays of interest for the rest of the game.

McAvoy gets blown back but Smith makes the most of it, bouncing off the problems and zipping upfield thanks to a crushing block from Mealer.

M26

1

10

Ace

1

2

2

Base 4-3

Pass

Hitch

Stokes

10

CONESTRAVAGANZA I: Stokes runs a hitch route at the sticks that Cone finds, but he leaves it short and forces Stokes to dig it out. (MA, 2, protection 2/2) Called back because Stoke lined up on the LOS.

M22

2

16

Shotgun 2-back

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Pass

Skinny post

Savoy

19

CONESTRAVAGANZA II: straight dropback, Cone ZINGS it to a seriously covered Savoy over the outstretched arm of a linebacker. Dude is all over Savoy's back but he reels it in anyway. That's right: (DO, 2, protection 2/2)

M43

1

10

Shotgun 3-wide

2

0

3

Base 4-3

Run

Zone read stretch

Cox

57

McAvoy gets a seal of sorts and Ferrara manages to get a charging linebacker, so there's a small crease that Cox explodes into, easily outrunning the DSU safety for a touchdown.

CONESTRAVAGANZA III: Dang, man. Reyes runs a seam route past his LB cover guy, doesn't get much separation, and then Cone just drops it in as perfectly as you can. I'm not fudging this it all: (DO, 3, protection 2/2)

Wait, why are you providing charts for this one but not the other one?

Offense has a number of defense-independent things. Did you throw the ball in the right place? To an open guy? Did said guy catch it? Etc. It's slightly useful to have the numbers. The defense numbers are not useful at all.

Not exactly a hugely challenging game but they didn't screw up. Roundtree's incompletion was a borderline 1/2.

And a very teeny protection metric:

PROTECTION METRIC: 10/10.

As they say, nothing to see here.

Anything of note on this side of the ball?

Yeah, some stuff. It's a lot easier to pick out interesting plays against overmatched opponents when Michigan is running the ball lots. The good:

Vincent Smith showed top-end shiftiness and looks like he'll be a solid back. I compared him to Mike Hart on Monday, and think that remains a pretty good comparison. He's also got a little Noel Devine in him; the way he darts through crevices and effortlessly shifts around traffic is reminiscent of the WVU star. He appears to lack Devine's fifth—or eighth—gear, but he's delivered more pop to defenders in one game than Devine has in three years. He'll be something less than a star but he can be very productive.

Denard Robinson completed some passes yay.

And, of course: CONER.

The bad:

Robinson left both touchdown passes well short. Against other teams those may have been incompletions or worse. He also left a ball to Robinson well short, turning an easy touchdown into a drop. He didn't do much to dispel the idea of him as a one-trick pony. Pretty good trick, though.

I was a little bothered by how often Delaware State DTs, especially #95 Tyron Hurst, beat Michigan OL on stretch blocking, forcing those smooth backside cuts from Smith. Part of that could be Michigan being very predictable and DSU selling out to contain the stretch, but I didn't think the interior OL had a great day.

Heroes?

Everyone.

Goats?

Dude. 63 points, why ask that question?

I always ask it.

Yeah, well, maybe you need to re-evaluate your life some.

Don't go all sanctionious on me here. We've had enough of that for one week.

Fine, fine.

What does it mean for Penn State, and the future?

Not much other than the tailback position should be in good hands for the next few years.

Great to see him have a nice day. Remember that one odd comment from someone who saw a fall camp practice? Something like, "David Cone has a very odd release." Very true, but it seemed to work for him.

Great to see him have a nice day. Remember that one odd comment from someone who saw a fall camp practice? Something like, "David Cone has a very odd release." Very true, but it seemed to work for him.

Robinsons throw to Roundtree in the end zone, which was dropped by Roundtree....was actually a very good throw and should not be criticized. The defender was on Roundtree's back and the throw had to be low and away from the defender. Robinson put the ball there, and it really should have been caught. That is a TD 10 out of 10 times and Roundtree had to be the sickest man in America after dropping that one...bless his heart.

Your comment about Denard throwing short was right on point. Although he is exciting because of his speed and play making ability, I wonder if he will become an accurate passer, even with quality coaching. His HS stats were not very impressive from a pure passing perspective where he completed well below 50% of his passes.

Since you are comparing DRob to Forcier, let's compare their coaching and junior football experience:

Forcier has had access to the best coaching and has been groomed to be a QB since he was a kid. He has had some of the best private tutoring money can buy. On the other hand, if you grow up black in Deerfield Beach, you are fortunate to be on a junior football team that has real uniforms. The coaches mean well, but for the most part, they get a playbook, try to teach the kids a few plays to run, and then throw them onto the field.

My point here is that we are comparing apples and oranges. Forcier is a lot closer to performing to every bit of potential he has than DRob is right now because he is farther along in the progression any QB makes from getting good coaching. I am not yet convinced that DRob can't be a Pat White by the time he is a junior.

Now that DRob has access to high-caliber coaching, and will probably be helped along by Forcier, he should progress faster than Forcier, who has already had access to the same for years. I truly hope that we don't see DRob as a "slash" until his senior year, when it would get him on the field for a few extra plays, create some severe matchup problems, and give the NFL personnel people something to think about.

In the meantime, though, I look forward to watching DRob grow as a QB and provide a change-of-pace to Forcier for the next couple of years. And I wouldn't burn Devin Gardner's redshirt quite yet.

The biggest adjustment from high school to college is becoming aware of the increased speed of the game. We might think Forcier is closer to his ceiling, but in regard to adjusting to the college game, Forcier and Robinson both had the same distance to go.

I think this could very easily be the last year for Robinson at QB. At least at Michigan unless he wants to be 3rd string. With uber recruit Gardner reported to be enrolling early I don't think he's going to casually take a redshirt next season and wait his turn. He's bigger and stronger than Denard and Tate and I think he will become the second option at QB next to Tate next year. Denard should be moved to a slot option WR position and used frequently out in space. Using Denard from the QB position and having him just immediately run into the line is a waste of his speed and talents. He does not have the size or ability to break tackles but the awareness and speed to miss them. This is hard to do when you're constantly sandwiched up in the line because every defender knows you're going to run 85% of the time.

In a perfect world DG redshirts next year, however, regardless of that DR is going to be a QB at least for next year if not longer. He is a QB, maybe by the time he is a junior or senior you see him switch, but our depth is too thin for anything other than Denard Robinson, QB.

We can't continue this cycle of playing so many true freshmen. It's not a normal thing for good teams. We need to get this kids into the S&C program and refine their technique and allow them to adjust to the speed of the college game. Robinson will be a QB next year. After that, who knows. Gardner is nowhere near ready to play as a true freshman; he needs alot of work.

I'm not sure that DG is any more ready to play QB next year than DR is this year. I know that it is fun to think that all freshmen will play like Forcier or even Pryor their first years, but it is FAR more common for them to struggle and become predictable. Robinson will benefit immensely from a full offseason of preparation and film study, and should be better acclimated to the offense next year. I like Gardner, but like Robinson he relies quite a bit on pure athleticism, and he does not have DR's elite speed to cover up some of the deficiencies in his passing game. I hope that DG is redshirted next year and DR becomes more adroit in the offense so that the Wild Wolverine (or whatever they'll call it) has more effectiveness. But if DG sniffs the field next year, I think this team will be in some trouble.

"I was a little bothered by how often Delaware State DTs, especially #95 Tyron Hurst, beat Michigan OL on stretch blocking,"

In particular Huyge had some trouble moving the guy.

I took the time to look up #95's height and weight, was listed at something like 295 IIRC, Huyge is listed at 288, but DState's kid looked noticeably bigger than Huyge. I don't recall if Huyge was identified as a weak link on the line, so is it possible D-state had one good lineman?

It's not like he was blowing up our offense or anything, but it did look like he at least held his ground. The rest of the DL was getting knocked back 2,3 or more yards a play.